You’ve heard about Desaru but do you know what to do in Desaru?
The good news is, we are here to help!
Desaru has plenty of offerings with serene beachviews, interactive animal farms, and an exciting water park!
Most of these attractions are reasonably-priced with once-in-a-lifetime experiences that are worth the trip up north.
So buckle up as we explore all the things you can do to fill up your time here in Desaru!
Table of Contents
1. Chill Out At Desaru Beach
2. Have A Blast At Dash Outdoors
3. Golf At Els Club Desaru Coast
4. Relax At Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast
5. Visit The Desaru Fruit Farm
6. Splash Into Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast
7. Night Activity At Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
8. Feast At Desaru Seafood Corner
9. Snap Photos At Jomis Old Jetty
10. Explore Tanjung Balau Fisherman Museum
11. Visit Desaru Ostrich Farm
12. Birdwatching Around Desaru
13. Have Fun At Desaru Mini Zoo
14. View Reptiles At Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm
15. See Animals At Desaru Alpaca Farm
16. Cycle Around Desaru Coast
17. ATV Ride At Sand & Sandals Desaru Resort
1. Chill Out At Desaru Beach
This is the perfect pristine public beach to relax!
Feel the soft sand in your feet and the calm ocean waves washing up against the shore.
Tips:
- Bring your own beach mat and turn it into a picnic!
- The beach entrance fee is free but there is a car parking fee at RM 8
- BBQ pits are available – please bring your own meat to grill and BBQ gear!
Opening Hours: Daily: 8:00am – 6:00pm
2. Have A Blast At Dash Outdoors
Located near the beach’s carpark is a fun-filled water sport adventure waiting for you!
Enjoy the best things to do in Desaru Coast with a wide variety of activities to try including surfing, kayaking, and hopping onto a Banana Boat!
Tips:
- They have over 18 land and water activities to choose from
- Jetskiing is their most popular activity
- Surf boards have an hourly rental
- They are more responsive on Whatsapp
3. Golf At Els Club Desaru Coast
Swing your golf club at the best golf courses in town!
Experience an award-winning golf landscape design with a scenic view by the ocean.
Tips:
- Valley Course has 18 holes whereas Ocean Course has 27 holes
- No walk-in guests at Valley Course after 2:00pm
- Ocean Course has cheaper green fees than the Valley Course
- Arrange a pick-up from the course in advance as hotel shuttles and taxis are not frequent
Location:
Ocean Course: No.4, Jalan Danau, Desaru Coast, Desaru, 81930 Johor, Malaysia.
Valley Course: No.2, Jalan Pantai 2 Desaru Coast, Desaru, 81930 Johor, Malaysia.
Opening Hours:
Ocean Course: Daily: 7:30am – dusk
Valley Course:
Thursday to Sunday: 8:30am – 5:00pm (last tee off 2:00pm)
Closed On: Monday to Wednesday
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4. Relax At Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast
Rejuvenate in a resort that strikes the perfect balance of relaxation and entertainment.
If you are figuring what to do at Hard Rock Desaru, you can check out the outdoor music pool and dance to live music while savoring authentic Mexican cuisine.
Tips:
- Desaru’s peak season is between June and August so expect higher prices!
- Direct walking access to Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast and Desaru beach
5. Visit The Desaru Fruit Farm
Explore 180 acres of a tropical fruit plantation with an experienced guide!
You will learn how over 100 species of fruits and plants are organically grown as well as the right way to hand-pick them!
Tips:
- There is a petting zoo with goats, rabbits, chicken, alpacas, raccoon, and an ostrich
- Bring a hat as it can get quite sunny in the farm
- ATV trail rides are available here
6. Splash Into Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast
One of the best things to do in Desaru is to get wet and wild in this exhilarating theme park with over 20 water rides.
Tips:
- Try the iconic Kraken’s Revenge, the only roller coaster here!
- There is a free cold water dispenser
- Guests are recommended to wear modest swimwear
- Do bring extra clothes and your towel
- Rental of small lockers cost RM 20 and large lockers are RM 40
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Monday: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Closed On: Tuesday
7. Night Activity At Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
One of the fun things to do in Desaru at night is to see the fireflies!
Spend a unique evening being enchanted by the thousand of fireflies lighting up the riverside on a 45-minute boat tour.
Tips:
- You will need to make a booking on Whatsapp to secure a slot
- The best time to visit is between 7:30 pm and 10:30 pm
- Flash lights are strictly prohibited
8. Feast At Desaru Seafood Corner
You can’t skip on the seafood delicacies of Johor! Wind down from a full day of things to do in Desaru with a feast of fresh lobsters, crabs, and prawns!
Tip:
- Order their top dishes: the Golden Pumpkin Lobster and the Volcanic Crab
- They provide free shuttle services to nearby resorts
- If you are pressing for time, it is best to make a booking in advance and preorder your food
Opening Hours: Daily: 11:00am – 10:00pm
9. Snap Photos At Jomis Old Jetty
Also known as Teluk Ramunia, this abandoned jetty is now a popular Instagrammable spot and outdoor photography area.
Tip:
- Go during low tide season for the best photos
- Be ready to get your car dirty as the red soil road towards the jetty is muddy and rocky
- The entrance is before the fire station
- Entrance fee is free
- Do travel as a group as the area is quite secluded
Opening Hours: Daily: 9:00am – 5:00pm
10. Explore Tanjung Balau Fisherman Museum
Adding to the list of what to do in Desaru Coast is this popular air-conditioned museum!
Learn the origins of the Tanjung Balau fishermen village and understand its geology! Currently, the museum is temporarily closed until further notice.
Tips:
- Entrance fee is RM 10 for non-citizens and RM 5 for citizens
- Visit the museum in the morning for a less crowded tour
- The passionate tour guide makes the experience worthwhile!
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cgwwMbojpVRueNnp7
Opening Hours:
Monday to Wednesday: 9:00am – 4:30pm (lunch break: 12:30pm – 2:00pm)
Friday to Sunday & Public Holidays: 9:00am – 5:30pm (lunch break: 12:30pm – 2:30pm)
Closed On: Thursday
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11. Visit Desaru Ostrich Farm
Come and see ostriches of all sizes in one place! It is a fun interactive experience for kids and adults alike as you learn all about this majestic animal.
Kids can ride and feed the ostriches. If you are lucky, you may witness an ostrich egg opening demo.
Tips:
- You can order ostrich meat and ostrich egg here!
- The tour lasts between 10 to 45 minutes
- Walk-ins are welcomed
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iWKNbvh6TpjH54NL7
Opening Hours: Daily: 10:00am – 6:00pm
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12. Birdwatching Around Desaru
Immerse yourself with nature as you explore a hidden world of Desaru Coast via birdwatching.
Try to spot some rare birds including the Crested Serpent Eagle, Crimson Sunbirds, hornbills, Bhraminy Kites, and many more from over 90 species!
Tips:
- Some tour packages offer free shuttle from nearby hotels
- Most sessions are available on alternate weekdays in the evening
- Wear appropriate attire such as a hat, long pants and sport shoes
13. Have Fun At Desaru Mini Zoo
Going to this mini petting zoo is one of the most rewarding things to do near Desaru.
Lower your stress levels interacting with exotic animals and even capture a photo for memories!
Tips:
- Entrance fee is RM 20
- Umbrellas are provided to shield from the weather
- The tour takes around 2 hours
- Spot the alpacas, racoon, and lambs!
- You can also purchase an animal feeding basket for RM 20
Location: 103-A, Jalan Damai 10, Kampung Sungai Kapal, Pengerang, 81620 Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Daily: 10:00am – 7:00pm
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14. View Reptiles At Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm
Witness three generations of crocodiles roaming around at an affordable ticket price, with some crocodiles as old as 150 years!
Tips:
- There’s only one crocodile species on this farm but there are over 1,000 of them
- You can take photos with a baby crocodile
- Bring a portable fan as it can get quite humid
- Visitors will need to purchase chicken meat from the farm to feed the crocodiles
Location: Lot 1289 & 1290, Jalan Sembilan, Kampung Belading, Teluk Sengat, Kota Tinggi, 81940 Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Daily: 9:00am – 6:00pm
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15. See Animals At Desaru Alpaca Farm
The latest petting zoo in Desaru, this farm has many exotic animals that you can interact with!
This visit takes around 1 to 1.5 hours with a knowledgeable guide as you watch the animals roam freely in the farm.
Tips:
- Feeding plate is RM 3/plate
- Other than alpacas, you get to see a wallaby!
- You can walk-in to purchase a ticket (RM 35 for adults, RM 25 for children)
Opening Hours: Daily: 10:00am – 6:00pm
16. Cycle Around Desaru Coast
If you are running out of ideas on what to do in Desaru, then here’s a simple activity that everyone can participate: cycling!
Desaru is relatively flat with smooth roads on the coastal route. You can rent a bike or even bring your own for an adventure of a lifetime!
Tips:
- There are almost no traffic lights here, unlike cycling in Singapore
- You can start by cycling along the beach
17. ATV Ride At Sand & Sandals Desaru Resort
Have a thirst for adventure? Then go on an ATV thrill ride where you can choose between the beach or rocky and muddy terrain tracks!
Managed by Dash Outdoors, you will be in good hands with their ATV quad bikes!
Tips:
- Book via Dash Outdoors webpage and redeem your slot at Sand & Sandals Desaru Resort
- Accept contactless payments from Singapore banks
Conclusion
We hope that this list of what to do in Desaru will give you ideas to keep yourself busy when you are there!
Wondering how you can get to these amazing Desaru locations?
TaxiToJB offers the best private taxi to desaru service for you to travel comfortably between Singapore and Johor!
